Christmas is steeped in tradition.  We seem to have a 'tradition' for everything including evergreen trees, red flowering plants and mistletoe.  Alas, the evergreen display at the front door, usually some colourful sprigs of dogwood and pine artfully arranged in an urn or large pot, does not come with a history that we can tag 'tradition'.  Unless doing it for a few years makes it that way.

There was a time when the Druids placed evergreen branches over the door to their homes as a gesture to the gods for good luck in the new year.  The shortest day of the year, Dec. 21 or so, provided a useful excuse to celebrate fertility and the lengthening of daylight.  How that excersize translates into the evergreens that we arrange on the porch is beyond me, but there you have it.

The secret to using evergreens at your front door is to  use a container that is stable, with a broad base, and heavy enough that it won't either blow over in a winter wind or tempt someone passing by to lift it.  I use evergreens from my country property but most urban dwellers will have better luck going to the local fruit market, hardware store or garden centre to pick up what you need.  

Look for pine, fir, cedar and spruce boughs for a lasting effect out of doors.  Add colour using red dogwood cuttings, oranges or any number of natural amenities.  

Use your imagination and be creative: have fun.

Watch this segment from Canada AM for some great ideas, courtesy my good friend Paul Zammit from the Toronto Botanical Gardens.  He is amazing!  

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